Survey: Strong, across the board support for Social Security

A new AARP survey confirms that Americans highly value Social Security.

The clear majority of Americans – 93 percent of Republicans, 99 percent of Democrats, and 92 percent of Independents – see Social Security as an important government program, and 56 percent believe it is even more important for retirees in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter sent Thursday to President Trump, AARP asked him to explain his plan to replace Social Security funding.

More than 1.1 million Virginians receive Social Security retirement benefits. For more than 45% of them, it accounts for more than half of their household income. Social Security accounts for more than 90% of total household income for more than 25% of Virginia’s beneficiaries.

“AARP Virginia is fighting to protect voters 50-plus and make their voices heard on the issues that matter – protecting Social Security and Medicare, lowering prescription drug prices, and ensuring you can vote safely from home or in-person,” said AARP State President Joyce Williams. “Workers have paid into Social Security with every paycheck. It’s a hard-earned benefit and a promise that must be kept. AARP will never stop fighting to strengthen Social Security, and make sure hard-working Americans get the benefits they’ve earned.”

Social Security was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Aug. 14, 1935.

AARP’s survey found that Social Security is a key source of income and economic stability in retirement, but they have concerns about whether it will be enough.

• Nearly three-quarters of Americans (74 percent) are worried that Social Security will not provide enough to live on during their retirement.
• Two-thirds of Americans believe the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit of $1,503 per month is too low. Nearly 3 in 5 Americans are not confident in the future of Social Security, with confidence in the program lowest among 30-49-year-olds at only 28 percent.
• Nearly 2 in 5 Americans (39 percent) say they do or will rely on Social Security for a substantial portion of their retirement income and 4 out of 5 expect it to be part of their retirement income.

Social Security is a key component of AARP Virginia’s “Protect Voters 50+” campaign, which launched Aug. 3. The initiative is calling on the presidential candidates to tell us their plan to protect Social Security for current and future generations, and helping voters cast their votes safely from home or in-person this November.